Music Composition

Description:
The science or art of arranging music by ordering tones or sounds in succession.
Overview:
Get ready to unleash your creativity and compose an original piece of music that showcases your unique voice! In this competition, you’ll be judged on your creativity, musical structure, harmonic and rhythmic association, melodic
strength, theoretical understanding, and overall presentation. Your composition can be performed live or submitted as a pre-recorded piece—so bring your best sound and show the world your musical talent!

Notes for Judges ● This competition is interview based and requires advanced screening of the contestants materials in order to adequately interview them on the day of the competition ● Each contestant will have 5 minutes to present their composition and then the judging co-hort will have 5-10 minutes for any follow up questions and quick deliberations before the next contestant. Each contestant will only have an allocated time frame of 10-15 minutes. ● You should not under any circumstances engage with the students before or after the competition until the Awards Ceremony has concluded. ● You must provide honest constructive feedback for each contestant that you are judging. ● Scoring Rubric: ○ 95-100 - Qualifies as a Gold Medalist ○ 90+Up - Qualifies as a Silver Medalist ○ 85+Up - Qualifies as a Bronze Medalist ■ Please take heed that the identifying word here is “Qualifies”. There can be multiple contestants that can qualify as gold medalist and if that’s the case the highest score will receive the gold, and silver and bronze will be allocated to the next two highest scores. ■ In the event the highest score is a 90 then there is no gold medalist and there’s only a possibility for a silver and bronze medalist as long as the remaining scores land within the 85+Up region

Requirements:

1. Original Composition: Submit one original composition.

2. Formatting: The top page of the composition must include the contestant's name, page number, unit name and number (Coraopolis NAACP #26AB-B).

3. Manuscript: The composition must be neatly written on standard music manuscript paper, clear enough for any trained musician to perform.

a. Electronically generated manuscripts (Finale, Sibelius, etc.) must be carefully proofread to ensure accurate quantization.

b. All submissions must demonstrate a strong understanding of the chosen medium.

4. Audio Recording: Submit an MP3 audio file of the composition along with the National Registration materials.

a. Local units may allow CD submissions for local competitions.

5. Time Limit: The composition must not exceed five minutes.

Exceeding this time limit may result in point deductions or disqualification.

6. Interview: Contestants will be interviewed by a panel of judges to discuss their work.

7. Performance: Students must perform their piece without affecting their interview time.

a. Performance can be live or pre-recorded.

b. Pre-recorded performances must be arranged and produced by the contestant.

It can feature collaborative performers, however additional points are not awarded for collaborations.

Necessary Equipment
This equipment is provided and standard at the national competition.

NOTE: Be sure to check with the ACT-SO Chairperson to see if any of this equipment will be available at the local competition.

1. Laptop w/charger or a CD Playing device
2. Speakers
3. Dongle Adapter for Macbooks
4. Aux Adaptor for playback from phones
a. USB C to 3.5 mm Aux Jack (Most modern devices
b. Lightning to 3.5 Aux Jack (older apple devices)
5. Aux cable
6. Outlet Surge Protector

Submission Guidelines:

a. Ensure that all submissions are original and adhere to the specified guidelines.

b. Submit the composition, MP3 audio file, and National Registration materials by the March 10, 2027 deadline.

c. Email to coraopolisnaacp@gmail.com

• Contestant Introduction: State your introduction in full, per the Contestant Introduction Script, before your interview.
• Statement of Integrity: Submit a completed Statement of Integrity Form with your application

Required Submissions

• Bio (PDF) → First_Last_Bio
• Contestant Photo (PDF) → First_Last_CP
• Statement of Integrity (PDF) → First_Last_SOI
• Sheet Music (Score) (PDF) → First_Last_Score
• Audio File (MP3) → First_Last_Audio

When uploading your documents, you must name each file exactly as shown above in order for it to be properly uploaded and integrated into our automated system.

Example: John_Doe_WP (using your own first and last name, followed by the file label shown for your category).

Note: If files are not received in these formats, they are out of compliance and ineligible until rectified. If they are not corrected before the deadline, the contestant will no longer be able to compete at this year's iteration of the National Competition

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

10 Points: Creative sense

20 Points: Form

20 Points: Harmonic and rhythmic interest

10 Points: Melodic Strength

10 Points: Execution of Manuscript (performance)

20 Points: Theoretical Understanding

10 Points: Quality of transcript

100 Total Points

Point Deduction -0.25 per 15 sec
For every 15 seconds the composition exceeds the allotted time limit (5 minutes), 0.25 point is deducted.